Interpreting during lockdown

Adapting the ways we deliver our service

During lockdown the need for interpreting services to be readily available has remained an essential tool for many of our keyworkers.

However, at the same time the health and well-being of our staff and clients is of the upmost importance to us. Since the introduction of social distancing we have therefore been busy adapting our face-to-face interpreting provision and replacing it with other methods of delivery to ensure clear and effective communication can still happen between all parties.

This has been achieved by the introduction of audio conferencing and video interpreting, these are available in all languages and also included Sign Language. By supporting our team of interpreters make this shift to remote working we have tried to ensure that clients have been able to still work with their usual interpreters which has been crucial for maintaining continuity.

Throughout April we provided translation and interpreting services in 30 different languages including: Albanian, Amharic, Cantonese, Hindko, Swahili, Tigrinya, Twi and Zaghawa. A different language for each day of April!

As well as keeping our clients and staff safe, an additional benefit of audio conferencing and video interpreting is the elimination of any travel expenses as everyone continues to work from the safety of their own home. We do understand however that there will be times where a face to face interpreter will be required. Where this is the case, and when video interpreting is not appropriate, we request that additional PPE is provided for the interpreter.

As we start to look to come out of lockdown we continue to innovate and make the most of the opportunities the different digital solutions offer to improve and develop the range of interpreting services we can offer.

If you think we can help you to work more effectively please get in touch, we would be very happy to discuss the different ways we can help you.